Danville's
situation is such that it could be part of Kentucky north, but its location
as the geographical center of the state, makes it a perfect starting
point for a tour of Kentucky's central/south I-75 corridor. The small
city is situated 50 miles west of I-75, just far enough away to avoid
the inevitable stripping and malling of America that happens along all
major interstate routes. Danville's aggressive preservation of the past,
linked with a progressive outlook for the future, is part of the reason
that Time magazine chose the community as one of ten successful small
towns in America. It deserves the honour.

Danville,
site of Kentucky's first government is tucked into the heart of a countryside
that is as charming as the town. The geographical area is known as Knob
country for its physical appearance. Knobs are too small to be mountains
and too large to be called hills, hence the moniker Kentucky Knobs.
Knobs country is also known as Forklands. Rock hounds gravitate to the
area in the search of geodes.

Danville's
architecture is classic Americana. There are at least six heritage areas,
all very well maintained. Constitution Square, the heart of the heritage
main street area, exudes vitality. The Square, surrounded by significant
structures including McDowell House & Apothecary, is home to the original
log building that was used as the first post office west of the Allegheny
Mountains. A growing number of galleries and studios, including Gallery
On the Square, are opening in this area because visual artists are choosing
Danville as home-base.

Many
festivals and special events are held each year in Danville, including
the Great American Brass Band Festival in June and Constitution Square
Festival in mid-September.

Old
Crow Inn is an excellent choice of accommodation while touring the area.
The oldest stone home west of the Allegheny mountains, was first opened
as an hostelry in 1934. Today Old Crow comprises a Bed & Breakfast,
vineyard and winery, organic farm and The Elements Pottery & Crafts.
Also on the property are a 200 year old flowing spring, 300 million
year old fossils, unusual geological formations and a slave cemetery.

Each year hundreds of people travel to Danville to enjoy live
theatre at Pioneer Playhouse, a c1950's style outdoor dinner theatre. Actors
like John Travolta, Lee Majors and Jim Varney were given their start at this
unique theatre attraction. The location has also been used for films, one
starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Penns Store in Gravel Switch amidst the in Knobs has been in
existence since 1845, and in the same family since 1850. This one-room legend
is quintessential Americana. The uneven floor squeaks. The roof-line sags.
During cold weather locals swap stories around a wood stove. The building
appears in coffee-table books around the world and is probably the most photographed
general store in North America. If you could choose only one place to visit
while in the Danville area make it Penn's Store.

Perryville, site of the largest battle waged in Kentucky during
the Civil War, is significant because the battle forced the Confederate army
to let go of their foothold in the state. For a number of years, the area
was neglected but today Perryville's population of 800 is rooted progressively
in both the past and present. Lands that comprised the battlefield are being
acquired and visually returned to the 1862 period. The village is a "work
in progress". 1840's shops on Merchants Row along the Chaplin River are in
the process of restoration and will become living history museums and interesting
one-of-a kind shops. Perryville has a future as the "Williamsburg" of Kentucky.

Elmwood Inn a c1842 Greek Revival house, is now a classy tea
room, art gallery and gift shop. The Inn, overlooking the river, serves a
proper afternoon tea with sweets and savories accompanied by one of their
own blended teas. China cups, saucers and serving plates are antique.

The drive east from Danville to Berea takes you through some
interesting cross-roads communities such as Paint Lick. Do take the time to
stop for a look-around and don't forget your camera.

Berea, just east of I-75 is known as the folk arts and crafts
capital of Kentucky. The community certainly lives up to its name. Berea's
motto is "Come discover a place where it is common to make things to last
a thousand years". They also market themselves as "a legendary village where
things of rarest beauty are always made by hand." Visitors should head go
to the Welcome Center that is located in a restored train station, for a comprehensive
area map.

For years Berea has positioned itself as the most popular location
for quality Appalachian crafts in North America. and with good reason. Dozens
of artisans live and work in the community, contributing to its culture and
reputation. Mitchell Tolle, Teresa Cole, John & Sue Martin, David Wright and
Gwen Heffner are among those with area studios. Chestnut Street, Old Town
and College Square have a high concentration of artisan's shops. Log House
Crafts Gallery showcases the works of Berea college students and area master
craftspeople. Churchill Weavers has been manufacturing luxurious hand-woven
items since 1922.

Berea's
heritage area is visually stunning with built architecture and 100 year old
holly trees. Look up and you'll see a proliferation of wild mistletoe in host
oak and maple trees.

From Berea it is an easy drive south on I-75 to London/Corbin.
At London follow signage for Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park which
is a favourite stop-over for Canadians taking their motor-homes south for
the winter. Mountain Life Museum in the park was the site for filming "The
Kentuckian". The museum has an original Conestoga wagon on display. Check
out McHagues Mill with its collection of millstones said to be the largest
in the U.S.A.

Corbin,
a little south of London, is the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Harland
Sanders Café is located on #25 Highway. With original exterior and signage,
it is pure mid-century highway architecture. The building houses a small museum
with c1940's kitchen, the Colonel's office, a model of c1950's motel room,
Sanders artifacts and other KFC memorabilia. You can have a meal in the modern
on-site KFC outlet. London's annual Chicken Festival, held the 3rd week in
September, salutes the self-made Kentucky Colonial.

In 1775 Daniel Boone was commissioned by the Transylvania Company
to cut a road through Cumberland Gap to Kentucky River. His route lay through
some of the most rugged territory in Kentucky. Deep gorges, rock shelters,
high bluffs and natural arches make up a large part of Big South Fork Natural
River & Recreation Area, a spectacular 110,000 acre preserve close by Cumberland
Falls. Coal was king in this complex geological area of southern Kentucky.

Stearns, Kentucky was a company town. Quite simply the company
owned homes, school, store and church. Employees were paid in company scrip.
Transportation was on company trains. The doctor and minister were employees
of the company. In the case of Stearns, the Company was Stearn Coal. Life
in a company town is well portrayed at McCreary County Museum. You can also
shop in former company stores. Check out unique shops in former freight sheds
and have a meal in the railway terminal. One of the most unusual things to
see in Stearns is a huge petrified tree stump which was found more than thirty
feet underground. It is now a permanent fixture in front of the County Museum.

Don't miss the opportunity to take the six mile ride on Big
South Fork Scenic Railway through coal mining country to Blue Heron Mining
community. Blue Heron was a small isolated c1930's company town whose story
is told through the taped voices of former residents at innovative stops in
a creative outdoor museum. The biggest heritage structure in the community
is the Mine-18 coal tipple. You might be lucky enough to hear your engineer
and some friends play some really good Blue Grass music during your stopover
at Blue Heron.

Big South Fork Natural River & Recreation Area has excellent
hiking trails. New growth forest covers old mine entrances, coal tipples and
roads. Historical and archeological sites are found throughout the area.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 18 miles from Stearns and
surrounded by Daniel Boone National Forest, is best known for its namesake
Cumberland Falls. The Falls, often referred to as "Niagara of the South",
are 68 feet high and 125 feet wide at normal flow. The boulder strewn river
gorge is as impressive too. It is highly recommended you stay on well marked
trails that lead to excellent viewing areas. The Falls are unique in North
America for their Moonbow, most visible during clear evenings at full moon.
On occasion it may also appear for several clear evenings before and after
the full-of-the-moon.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has excellent accommodations
in lodges and cabins There are also great camping facilities.

If you are planning to do any hiking wear appropriate clothing
and footwear. Expect the unexpected! As National Park Services says, visitors
must be prepared to meet and accept nature on its own terms. This advice bodes
well for all Kentucky parks and natural recreational areas. Should laws permit
hunting, do not plan a trip into any recreational area during big game season.
Kentucky is rich in archeological sites. Remember that they are fragile glimpses
into the past. Do not remove artifacts or in any other way disturb sites.
History cannot be reconstructed if pieces are lost, stolen or broken. All
artifacts are protected by law.